DHAKA: As the opposition tries to wage an anti-government movement, BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain Thursday asked the government to hold opinion poll for weighing its popularity.

He threw the challenge while addressing a discussion marking the jail-release day of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s elder son and its senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman at the Engineers’ Institution auditorium.

Khandakar Delwar said people accepted the ideology of Zia in politics and rejected the politics of Awami league. “So, Awami League’s popularity is fading out day by day.”

Challenging the ruling government, he said, “If you (AL) have the courage, hold opinion poll to test party image.”

The BNP secretary-general warned that none can stay in power ignoring public opinion. “The people may rise in opposition to the government anytime in protest against its misdeeds and repression.”

He said, “The scared government is now plotting to destroy the Zia family, the core of people’s hopes and aspirations.”

BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farruque, Organizing Secretaries (Dhaka Division) Fazlul Haque Milon and M Ilias Ali (Sylhet Division), Secretary for International affairs Asaduzzaman Ripon, Swechha Sebak Dal president Habib-un-Nabi Sohel, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annee and Shirin Sultana, among others, took part in discussion with Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salauddin Tuku in the chair.

The student wing of BNP will bring out rally across the country Friday marking the jail-release day of Tarique, announced Sultan Salauddin Tuku.

BDST: 1536 HRS SEP 02, 2010